Michigan teen charged with DUI after causing serious accident

By Stacey M. Washington, Attorney and Counselor posted in Felony DUI on Tuesday, November 13, 2012.

"Your child has been involved in an accident." These are the words that no parent ever wants to hear, especially if police tell them that it was their son or daughter that allegedly caused the crash.

It's a scenario that could happen anywhere, even here in Michigan; but for our neighbors in Wisconsin, this scenario is all too real after a teen driver was arrested after the vehicle he was driving slammed into a parked squad car along I-94.

According to reports, the 18-year-old driver and his 17-year-old passenger were driving back from a concert in Madison when the accident occurred. The investigative report claims that the teens slammed into the back of a parked sheriff deputies' vehicle at roughly 74 mph, causing the teen's car to burst into flames.

The officers suffered minor injuries in the accident. The 17-year-old passenger was taken to the hospital in critical condition, where he was later pronounced dead according to medical records.

According to police reports, the 18-year-old driver allegedly told officers that he had consumed six alcoholic beverages before driving that night. Police say that his blood alcohol concentration was .135 though they don't explain how this number was obtained.

At present time, the 18-year-old driver is being charged with intoxicated operation of a motor vehicle resulting in vehicular homicide and two misdemeanor counts of causing injury by intoxicated use of a vehicle.

Charges involving underage drinking can carry serious consequences, but when that intoxication leads to injury or death, the consequences can increase significantly. At this time, it is unclear what type of sentencing the teen could face. He is scheduled to reappear in court sometime this month.

The use of the Internet or this form for communication with the firm or any individual member of the firm does not establish an attorney-client relationship. Confidential or time-sensitive information should not be sent through this form.

I regularly represent clients throughout Washtenaw County, Michigan, including Ann Arbor, Saline, Ypsilanti, Chelsea, Manchester, Dexter, Barton Hills, Milan, Pittsfield Township, Scio Township, Willow Run and Superior Township. Courts covered include: 15th District Court; 14A-1, 14A-2, 14A-3, and 14A-4 District Courts; 14B District Court and Washtenaw County Circuit Court. I also represent clients in 35th District Court for Plymouth/Canton cases as well as 34th District Court in Romulus for cases in Romulus and Van Buren Township.